In her article published in Ergoliptikon Vima titled “Energy and buildings: The new landscape of efficiency and sustainability”, Εnergy policy analyst Ioanna Souka highlights the pivotal role of buildings in the energy transition and the new landscape taking shape at both European and national level.
Buildings account for around 40% of final energy consumption and 36% of CO₂ emissions in the EU, making them a critical sector for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD 2024/1275), which entered into force in May 2024, requires Member States to submit their final National Building Renovation Plans by the end of 2026. These plans are not merely administrative obligations, but strategic roadmaps to accelerate renovation rates, reduce energy consumption and integrate sustainable technologies, with clear provisions for financing, technical assistance and skills development.
In Greece, the “Exoikonomo” programme and the “Promotion of Energy Efficiency” scheme targeting the tertiary sector and Municipal Water and Sewerage Utilities (DEYA) are moving towards a more holistic approach, incorporating sustainability and circular economy criteria. However, delays, unrealistic parameters and the lack of dedicated information and technical support structures, such as one-stop shops, undermine their effectiveness—particularly in a context of high energy poverty.
At the same time, phasing out fossil fuels is becoming imperative. The gradual withdrawal of subsidies for fossil fuel-only boilers from 2025 and the launch of the new Emissions Trading System for buildings and road transport (ETS2) in 2028 make the shift to clean technologies such as heat pumps and solar water heaters necessary. Combined with rooftop solar PV, these technologies can significantly enhance energy autonomy and reduce bills. Self-production and energy communities remain key tools for democratising energy, despite ongoing regulatory and technical barriers.
This transition is also closely linked to the deployment of demand-side management solutions and smart meters, enabling buildings to move beyond passive consumption and become active contributors to a flexible energy system. Ultimately, upgrading Greece’s building stock represents a major professional opportunity for the technical and construction sector, requiring new skills, certification and close cooperation with energy stakeholders to ensure that the green transition is sustainable and socially fair.
Read the full article published in Ergoliptikon Vima (Issue 146) [in Greek] here.
